Base suggestions please?

[BigGee]

I've never worn any foundation but now feel I need to, when the occasion warrants it. I don't know where to start, there's just so many options!
My skin is really pale, with a pink undertone and I have pink cheeks no matter what, so I'd like to tone my high colour down without flattening the life out of me. Skin is normal to dry, fairly well behaved apart from the high colouring and some fine lines, as I'm mid fifties.
I don't like the feel of products on my skin, hence avoiding using it up to now, but I'm really starting to need the help. Rosy cheeks are cute at 20, at 50 I just look like I'm feverish (not good in current crisis). Budget is flexible but not high end. Where do I begin?

I haven't worn a scrap of makeup for ages now. If I was you I'd start with a BB or CC cream which gives a hint of colour and evens out skin tone but doesn't feel overly 'made up'.

I like Garner BB Cream, and there are a few different formulations depending on your skin type, I have the oily one which makes a great base when I wear foundation too.

For proper foundation I like Maybeline matte and flawless which goes on great, has a good colour range and is buildable from medium to full coverage. I find it just as good and better that some of the more expensive foundations I've used.

Thanks, I shall browse superdrug online tomorrow. If I understand correctly, bb and cc creams are more like tinted moisturisers. Do you need to set them with powder to stop them rubbing off? I'm a face toucher and chin rubber, alas.

PS you're right, I don't need makeup just now but I'm hoping to practice before I unleash the horror on the public!

No I know what you mean, it will feel weird to start putting on make up again but will be nice too.

I have really oily skin more so since menopause so I do wear setting powder, otherwise its slid down my face by lunchtime. BB and CC creams are like tinted moisturisers, I can never remember which has more coverage, but they just even everything out so if you're not used to wearing makeup you won't feel like Coco the Clown

I'm in the same boat as you; someone who hasn't worn foundation and has the same skin type without mildly pink cheeks. I've given in to the Glossier ads that were following me around social media and have bought their foundation and concealer.

I really like the natural look it gives, I can see my freckles but my skin tone looks more even. It also suggests that you apply it with your fingers which is good as a foundation newbie as I wouldn't know what to do with a brush or sponge blender.

I don't know how well it lasts (I'm a face toucher too) as it is so subtle to begin with. I went for the second lightest shade. I'd probably go lighter in winter.

*with mildly pink cheeks

Thank you both! Much appreciated

chin rubbing will remove any product tbh. Perhaps only apply product where you feel you need it rather than all over. This will also help prevent the 'flattening the life out of you' scenario you mention. Just apply some sheer coverage on the high coloured parts of your face. Powder very lightly.Or try a mineral foundation and apply very lightly and buff only where needed

That makes a lot of sense, damnthatanxiety. I don't need to cover skin as such, just my beetroot cheeks. Thank you